New Baby reindeer to my herd

Oh my! Better get things ready a bit early!

 

Gandalf is saying " Look Mum at my antlers!"

 

I hope he keeps those antlers to himself and doesn't want to have you on the end of them

 

Weaning has started this morning.

I have removed the mothers' of the 4 largest calves Twiglet (Pascha), Elsa (Casper), Mischa (Luna) and Katya (Bertie), along with Boris, Gandalf and Frodo to a separate paddock.

The four calves Pascha, Casper, Luna and Bertie don't seem to be bothered at all but Lexi was rather stressed.... ...

She is 3 years old and still with her calf Lily, but she is stressing as her mother Twiglet is in another paddock.
Some mothers' and calves keep their bond for many, many years. .



Last picture shows Lexi running fence line (in background) with her calf (white one centre front) being ignored! and the young babies totally chilled.
Middle photo, you will see Lexi in the far distance by gate, while all calves chilled!

 

Oh bless Lexi's heart, she is obviously still very attached to her mum

 

That's so sweet

Good luck Karen!

 

I'm like Lexi.....middle aged(me) and still very very attached to my Mom!
It's wonderful the calves are being "chill" with weaning. I'm hoping for a safe and easy rut for all this year.

 

Interesting info about the long lasting bond between mom and calves. Hope both weaning and rut is damage free this year!

 

Reindeer are magical creatures, I know, but so too is their pooh!

Last year I grew amazing squash from rotted muck but look at the mushrooms that are growing in their paddocks.

This one over 10" and other huge but less developed ones in vicinity.
Time to look for recipes... a weeks worth of meals in one mushroom!

 

Wow that is one big mushroom!

 

We made a pasta dish tonight from it's tiny brother - only 7"!!

 

Wow weeeee!!! That's the biggest mushroom I've ever seen!!! Call Guiness!

 

That is some huge mushroom Karen! So your reindeer don't eat mushrooms? I am assuming they do not, as those had time to grow so big!

 

Wow, that's an amazing mushroom! Congrats on the dinner addition!

 

I've never seen a mushroom so big

 

I agree with all of the above!!

You may be on to something here, Karen - for mushrooms and veggies that size, I'd pay a pretty penny for reindeer pooh (and/or its derivatives!) for my garden!!

Brown gold!! It could even help fund your Reindeer farm expenses...and new equipment....and...etc.!!

And, of course...there is always a 'never-ending' supply!!
(...just in case you were wondering what to doo doo with all that poo poo!)

 

Feeling devastated.
I lost Lotte this morning and haven't a "scooby" why.

When I went out for morning feed she had already passed but only just, as she was still warm. She was laying on the grass by feed store, apparently waiting for her breakfast. No signs of stress at death (grass undisturbed, so no pain), no bloating, poohed after death and wonderful pellets, laying in plain sight, so not hiding as sick prey animals usually do. She was in brilliant body condition, I had had vet out on Thursday to look at some minor patches of antler infection on calves and did ask him while he was there to check out herd and he said they looked in fabulous health (excepting Belle obviously who is still struggling with Metritis - which is to be expected).
Unfortunately, although I spoke to my vet he was tied up at a County Show and the only "on Duty" one is not one I would ask to do a PM, so she has gone to the local Hunt Kennels who are going to open her up and have a look - my vet says they have a lot of experience, so I will wait to see if they can see any cause.

My usual "pushy" reindeer that crowd the feed store at feeding times are in a separate paddock awaiting for the Rut, so Lotte had taken over the crowding of me in feed store as I prepared feed, which she was doing last night. Just no obvious reason for her passing - she leaves her daughter Fleur but Fleur is close enough to weaning to not be too much of a worry.
Fleur is not stressing, but again Lexi is (Lotte her sister).
So much joy from these beasties but also so much heartache.
Pic Lotte 5 1/2 years ago, the tiniest baby I have ever had but she grew into a big strong cow.

Second pic, she is laying down at 2 o'clock last week. Had no reason to take decent pictures of her as she appeared so healthy!

 

This is heartbreaking news, I'm so sorry for you Karen

Hector and Lotte were the first of your reindeer babies we got to follow, and now they are both gone

 

So very sorry for your loss Karen I have a picture of Lotte that I took when I visited you, I will treasure that along with the one of Hector.

 

Such sad news Karen! I hope they can find out what has caused this to happen! Thoughts and prayers for you and your herd!
Thanks for sharing the pictures!